THE charity set up in memory of York teenager Caroline Stuttle, who was murdered while backpacking in Australia, has celebrated its 12th birthday.

The directors and founders of the charity, Caroline's mother and brother, Marjorie Marks-Stuttle and Richard Stuttle used the occasion to publicise their free mobile-phone app at a breakfast meeting in York's historic Mansion House, hosted by the Lord Mayor, Coun Julie Gunnell.

They spoke about the Safer Travel App and it's aimed - helping people to travel safely abroad.

Richard said: "We launched the app in 2013 and it covers more than 300 cities, with more being added giving advice to travellers young and old. It has lots of useful information including emergency service numbers and other useful advice. Download it and then it is there if you need it - we feel that prevention is better than the cure."

Caroline's Rainbow Foundation, which was set up to help young travellers after Caroline was robbed and pushed from a bridge in Australia in 2002, says the app will provide safety advice and city information across over 250 countries for anyone travelling the world on a gap year, annual holiday or business travel.

Mr Stuttle said he had been working with students at York St John University's Phoenix Centre in developing the app, drawing on their first hand travel experiences and insights.

He said: "Students will continue to feed into its on-going development, adding further destinations and providing up-to-date information, " he said.

"The app combines the knowledge and experiences of students and travellers from all over the world, giving valuable first-hand information and insight from people who have visited or come from a destination."